Kaleidoscope Analogy Fitting for Social Services Sector

I want to draw your attention to a recent article in The Philanthropist - a quarterly journal for those engaged in the nonprofit sector in Canada. It’s called “A Kaleidoscope of Innovation: Designing Community Impact in the Waterloo Region.”

The article is co-authored by Diana Denton, Associate Professor and Director, Communication, Leadership and Social Innovation (CLSI), University of Waterloo, and Tracey Robertson, who conducted research while on leave from her role as Regional Program Manager at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. I was pleased to be invited on several occasions to lend my thoughts to the ideas discussed in this article, which focuses on challenges and issues related to social innovation in Waterloo Region.

In the social services sector, as in many other sectors, change isn’t on the horizon, it is the horizon. We must adapt and respond to constant shifts in areas such as technology, organizational structure, workforce, and the economy. “A Kaleidoscope of Innovation” identifies and explores the unique issues arising from this constant state of flux. I consider it a must-read for anyone working in my field. You’ll find the article on the Philanthropist web site at http://www.thephilanthropist.ca/index.php/phil/article/view/861/738.

This Just In…

I recently learned some great news - our 2010 Celebrity Event saluting Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian raised a cool $50,000!

My team and I truly appreciate the generous support shown by those sponsoring and attending the event. These funds will be distributed locally to programs and initiatives supporting our five regional priorities - children and youth, families, newcomers, neighbourhoods and economic security.

Unfortunately, need in our community continues to be on the rise and we’re still seeing significant increases in local demand for social services. As a result, our work is far from over.

At United Way, we’re committed to supporting this community. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to please join us by pledging your commitment too. By supporting our 3-year, $21 million campaign, you’ll help fuel long-term, sustainable change targeting our community’s key social issues.

Together, we can make positive change happen.

Fond Memories from Our Annual Celebrity Event

Sadly, it’s all over. Our annual celebrity event, which this year saluted Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian, has come and gone.

What a great evening! I don’t think anyone had a better time than the Chief himself. Here are some of my favourite moments from the night…

• Being greeted outside Bingemans by the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s mounted patrol unit (I forgot to ask whether the horse I met was King or Watson)
• Listening to the hilarious antics of MC Neil Aitchison, last year's guest of honour
• Watching Chief Torigian dance on the shoulders of friends and family to the music of an Armenian band from Toronto
• Seeing how happy Chief Torigian was to be surrounded by friends and family – including his parents and a 94-year-old uncle from St. Catharines
• Savouring the authentic Armenian pizza brought in all the way from Montreal for the occasion
• Watching traditional Armenian dances performed by Holy Trinity Armenian Church's Sassoun Dance Ensemble
• Hearing guest speakers share their stories while images of Chief Torigian were shown on two big screens (many photos were modified for dramatic effect, including one with Chief Torigian as an American Idol Judge)
• Listening to the beautiful voice of Constable Brian Duyn as he sang “The Prayer”

There were just too many great moments to share them all here. Sincere thanks to the many generous sponsors for this event: Grand View Homes, RIM, Niche Technology, Eagle Towing Equipment, Adobe, Melloul Blamey Construction, McCordick Glove and Safety, Regional Safety, Bingemans, Miller Thomson LLP, Lagrotta Packaging Group, Programmed Insurance Brokers, Innersee Initiatives, Brentwood Livery, David McCammon Photography and Images in Colour, not to mention all who donated silent auction items for the evening, and Knar Jewellers for providing Chief Torigian with a special gift to mark the occasion.